USA > Iowa > Mills County > History of Mills County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 61
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The newspaper is the poor man's library. It comes to him almost the sole exponent of national policy, and the source of his ideas of political economy. Moral lessons are conveyed, lessons which, if heeded, would lead the race of men to a higher moral life. Religion, the passing influ- ence of an hour, has no claim on the press, which, if not directly by its records of disaster and death, point out the causes of evil as no purely mental or abstract theories of wrong ever can. Probably there is nothing
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HISTORY OF MILLS COUNTY.
that so soon arouses a nation to a sense of its danger, points out the rem- edy for public deterioration, and leads men to consider the causes of things as the paper. When the national existencee as a union of all the state was threatened, it found its way to the homes of brave men who promptly responded to the demand for aid made known to them by the press. But it also brought the glad news of peace. If its utterances sometimes seem dark and ominous, it is none the less often cheerful in its aspect on current events. Business without it would be impossible. Changes in prices occur which involve millions, but are known in time to avert impending disaster. On a question of great moment to the nation, long and sometimes angry debate is had, but the news thereof appears in the next morning's paper; and men are, in a measure, prepared for any issue. So to it let its meed of praise be given, and let its support be equal to its importance.
The first paper published in this county bears the date of Thursday, May 1, 1856, and was duly baptised into the world of newspapers under the name of The Glenwood Times. The first paper ever printed is still in existence, and is the property of Mrs. J. W. Coolidge. It is full of typo- graphical errors, as the second paper printed was used for purposes of correction. On page three the editorial page, appears the prospectus, from which the following is taken:
" Experience having taught us that nothing tends more to promote and advance the welfare and interest of a county than a well conducted news- paper, and feeling confident that the interests of southwestern Iowa de- mand the publication of a reliable news journal-one that the business man, mechanic and farmer can rely upon-one that will be useful as a family paper -we have undertaken to furnish such a paper. The Times will contain a variety of news of a local and general character, present- ing it readers at all times with reliable information relative to the prosper- ity and growth of Western Iowa and Nebraska, a faithful chronicle of the events of the nation, and a correct journal of foreign news.
" We ask the kind indulgence of such of our patrons as this number may not prove acceptable to, as this is our first essay in the editorial department. We promise to make amends in the future for whatever failings there may be."
The paper was a seven column folio, and presented rather a neat appearance when fresh from the press. It was edited by J. M. Dews, and for its motto there was adopted " with all your getting, get understand- ing." The first article is a poem entitled " An Invocation to Spring," by Richard Coe, which is here transcribed as being appropriate to the date of the paper in which it was printed, and presenting the additional inter- est of having been the first poem printed in the county:
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HISTORY OF MILLS COUNTY.
Spring! Beautiful Spring! Come to this desolate dreary world of ours, Come with thy breath of balm, thy gift of flowers, Thy gentle birds that sing In sunny bowers; Come with thy gladsome hours; Spring! Beautiful Spring!
Earth is aweary of the Wintry sleep,
And longs to waken into life again;
To see the budding vines and graces creep Along the cheerful plain; For thou wilt bring O! Beautiful Spring!
These and like beauties in thy train!
Come with thy children three-
The stormy April that weepeth all the day,
The fickle April, and the flowery May-
Oh! 'twere a happiness to see Far up on high, Thy clear blue sky,
Like a bright, beauteous, and eternal thing, Spring! Beautiful Spring! What time the primrose with a keen delight,
Comes peeping upward from the fallow ground;
What time the swallow in his rapid flight
About the barn door circleth round and round; I love to walk abroad and trace On Nature's face The gladness of thy coming, and to sing With bird, and flower, and bee,
Sweet praises unto thee, Spring! Beautiful Spring!
Come, then, sweet Spring! Come to this deselate, dreary world of ours;
Come with thy breath of balm, thy gift of flowers;
Thy gentle birds that sing In sunny bowers! Come with thy gladsome hours, O! Beautiful spring! And bring, ay, bring anear, Sweet childhood of the year, Joy, health and freshness on thy dewy wing Spring! Beautiful Spring!
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HISTORY OF MILLS COUNTY.
Among the other principal contents of the paper are "Adventure at a French Party," "The Minister and the Fiddle," "From Ft. Pierre- Sioux Treaty," " On Pruning Fruit-trees," "Debate on the Memorial in the Senate," which latter article occupies some three and a quarter col- umns. The matter at issue pertained to some territorial affairs in Kansas, and the discussion was one both fiery and exhaustive. On the same page is an article on " Mr. Jefferson and his Daughter," which contains a letter from the president to that lady that would be read with marked interest to-day. On the editorial page is a graphic account of the death of Crockett, who died as few men have ever died, his body riddled with musket balls, and drenched with his own blood. "In the agony of death, with a terrible grasp, he brought his last weapon upon the head of the nearest assailant, and fell victoriously across his body into the arms of death." There is also a brief history of Page county, and a view of the business of Glenwood. A single death is recorded-that of William Brower, who died of consumption. The columns are filled with shorter notes, some humorous and some complaining. A letter, signed by "Unknown," calls the attention of the citizens of the county to The Times as being an enterprise in which they ought all to be interested and to which they should give united support. There are the usual number of medicines-" never known to fail "-advertised, and the business cards of lawyers, physicians and merchants. In the advertising columns of the third page occurs a notice, which it is deemed best to transcribe:
" EXHIBITION.
" An Exhibition of the Massacre of Joseph and Hiram Smith, at Carth- age jail, Hancock county, Illinois, at the Court House in Glenwood, on Saturday evening, May 3d, 1856. Also the Nauvoo Legion listening to the last speech of Gen. Joseph Smith. Also a review of Great Salt Lake City, accompanied by busts of Joseph and Hiram Smith, and also the twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints; together with a number of rare and curious specimens, by
"FRANCIS BROWN."
On the second page is given an account of a meeting relative to the swamp lands, held in the court-house by the citizens of the county, on the 23d of April, "to protect the citizens and county against the incursions of foreign speculators upon the swamp land domain of Mills county." That the men convened were decided to stop the abuse complained of is evident from the third resolution which was reported and adopted as fol- lows:
Resolved, That we call upon all the citizens of our county to stand up en masse in opposition to the grevious wrong which is sought to be en- forced against this county and its citizens, and that if law and justice will
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HISTORY OF MILLS COUNTY.
not prevail, and protect that which law has given, then humble submission ceases to be a virtue, and our rights we will have, cost what it may."
A further resolution was adopted to " withdraw or be advised to with- draw all dealings with, and patronage of any man who has infringed or may hereafter attempt to infringe upon the bona fide pre-emptor or the rights of any citizen to and in the swamp lands of the county."
The politics of the paper was democratic. The Times was published for little more than a year when it ceased to exist.
The Times was followed by The Thought "devoted to progress in agri - culture, science, politics and literature." It was owned and published by L. Shields, and edited by J. L. Sharp. It adopted for a motto "Pierce out Our Imperfections with Your Thoughts." Number one, of volume one, appeared July 24, 1856, and like its predecessor was a seven column folio. It was democratic in politics, and a large portion of the first page of the first issue was devoted to the proceedings of the democratic state convention, held at Iowa City, June 24, 1856, and to the democratic con- gressional convention, held at Ottumwa, June 30, 1856. Other subjects on this page are, "A Fortunate Kiss," "A Key to British Philanthropy," "Great Excitement in Gentry County," this last article being an extract from the St. fo. fournal under the head of " Mobocracy Triumphant," the main point in the article being the taking of a prisoner from the hands of civil officers and hung. The last page is devoted to "British Out- rages," a circular relative to the establishment of the State Agricultural College, a few brief sensational articles and local advertisements. On the second page occurs the obituary of Isaac Tyson, a young man, aged twenty-three, and the victim of consumption. An anonymous contribution signed by Fidus, gives the readers an insight into the natural advantages of Mills county.
The second paper to be established was the Union, under the editorial management of J. R. Tyson. The paper had a short life and then passed into the hands of other parties. The editor, J. L. Sharp, opened the edi- torial page with a statement of the aims and plans of the paper. Among other things he said:
" The Thought will be devoted chiefly to the dissemination of correct information relative to this region of our common country, and of each particular town, city, county and neighborhood upon either side of the great Missouri valley, in its middle division. To accomplish this we will, at no distant day, have secured the services of reliable correspondents in each particular locality.
" We shall condemn whatever we believe to be wrong among men, in religion, morals, society or politics, and approve the right, and will denounce all dereliction of duty, in national, state or county officers,
14
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HISTORY OF MILLS COUNTY.
especially those in high places who so far forget their duty as to offer to give or take a bribe in any shape.
" In politics we are Democratic; that political association, in our opinion being nearest the right thing, we co-operate with them. But while we are this, we shall not feel at liberty to dictate to our fellows what shall be their political faith, but will at all times fully concede to them the same privilege claimed for ourself,-the choice of their own political associates; may respect the man while we condemn the principles of his party, and will, at all times, be ready to assign a reason for the 'hope that is in us.'"
Other articles to claim the attention of the reader on this page are, "Our Purpose," " Honesty in Politics," "Party of Principles," "Arrival of the Salt Lake Mail;" under which last caption it is stated that the trip bringing that mail was made in nineteen days, notwithstanding the "roads were in a terrible condition." The third page is devoted almost solely to advertisements and legal notices. The Thought was finally abandoned, for the reasons which caused a like proceeding with reference to the Times.
THE GLENWOOD WEEKLY OPINION.
The Opinion may be properly called the first permanent newspaper of Mills county. Prior to its first issue, several attempts had been made to establish a newspaper in the county, but they resulted in failures, as has been seen. April 16, 1864, Thomas Paxton Ballard commenced the pub- lication of a five-column folio paper, modestly headed "Our Opinion." The Hon. Wm. Hale was its first political and general editor, assuming the duties of the position on the 6th of August, 1864, and continuing until April 1, 1865. At the commencement of the second volume the paper was enlarged to a six column folio, having during its first year assumed the name it now bears, " Glenwood Weekly Opinion." Mr. John R. Huft- man became a partner at this time, but retained his interest only a short time, when he disposed of it to the Hon. John Y. Stone, who assumed the editorial duties, and continued as editor and manager until June 15, 1867, when John T. Deupree purchased Mr. Stone's interest. November 9, 1867, Mr. Deupree sold it to one A. E. Clarendon, and with No. 49 of volume four, Mr. Clarendon's name appears as editor, and the paper is enlarged to seven columns. With No. 5 of volume five, F. P. Morgan and E. D. Lunt, the latter at present editor and proprietor of the Perry Pilot, appear to be owners, and continue to be until February 5, 1870, when Mr. Ballard purchased the interest of Mr. Lunt. November 12, 1870, the paper was enlarged to eight columns, its present size. March 11, 1871, Mr. Morgan disposed of his interest to the " Opinion Printing Company," who own it at this time. Since the date last mentioned the editorial chair has been occupied successively by W. P. Robinson, Thomas
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HISTORY OF MILLS COUNTY.
L. Stephens, Fred. Harris, and C. M. Shultz, the latter retiring in Octo- ber, 1877. The interval to January 1, 1878, was filled by W. P. Robin- son. From that date the present editor, Mr. Charles A. Croney, has edited and managed the paper.
The Opinion is now, and has been since its first issue, an unwavering exponent of the principles of the republican party. It is the leading paper of the county, and has established a reputation as one of the few leading papers of the eighth congressional district. From a feeble beginning it has reached the proud position of being one of the most complete county newspapers in all that constitutes a first-class job and newspaper office. It has made a host of warm, personal friends during its career, and per- haps many enemies, in a political way, but has aimed always to be fair towards its opponents while it dealt them sturdy blows. In the matter of caring for the interests of the whole people, its policy has been to advocate that which has seemed best for the whole county, regardless of locality, and pursuing steadily this course it has come to be looked upon by all the people as their paper. Its family of readers is large, many of them hav- ing been continuous readers of it from its first issue.
THE HASTINGS PLAINDEALER.
This a new enterprise and not yet beyond the stages of infancy. The first issue bears the date of March 20, 1879, and was edited by H. C. Ayres, the proprietor and publisher. In politics it is devoted to the prin- ciples of the national greenback party, of which it is an able and fearless exponent.
THE MILLS COUNTY CHRONICLE.
This paper was started in the fall of 1869, by H. A. Copeland, at Mal- vern, who was its editor and publisher until July 14, 1876, when it was taken to Emerson and the name changed to The Emerson Chronicle. It was conducted by Fred Boehner, then a mere boy of fourteen years of age, from the time of its removal to Emerson until May 16, 1879, when Woods & Hall became the publishers and proprietors. On the first of March, 1880, it then passed into the hands of A. G. Parrish, the present publisher. The Chronicle is republican in politics, and devoted to the interests of the party it has espoused. It is a six-column quarto, and the largest paper published in the county. It has considerable influence, and takes a high rank amongst the papers of the county, being devoted to the various interests thereof, and a ready supporter and exponent of any measure promising to aid the material interests.
THE MILLS COUNTY REPUBLICAN.
This paper succeeded The Mills County Chronicle when, in 1876, the
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HISTORY OF MILLS COUNTY.
latter was removed to Emerson. It was established in the same year that its predecessor was moved, by a joint stock company, and edited by Robert Aiton. It has changed owners several times. In 1880 it was con- solidated with The Leader. This last paper was established in Septem- ber, 1875, by H. G. Rising, who published it until the following year. It then passed into the hands of J. J. Morris, who continued to publish it until November, of 1880, when the consolidation mentioned was perfected. The title under which it now appears is The Republican-Leader, and managed by Messrs. Parrish & Morris. Its politics are indicated by its name.
THE MILLS COUNTY JOURNAL.
was established in 1872, the first number going to press July 31, of that year. The editor and proprietor was C. W. Sherman, who has since been actively connected with the paper. When started, the country was engaged in the memorable presidential campaign of that year, and it be- came necessary for the paper to take a decided stand upon the topics of cur- rent political interests. This it did, its politics being liberal-democratic, and into the canvass the paper entered honestly and heartily. The cam- paign following, the paper advocated the anti-monopoly movement, which was successful in this county by a majority of more than two hundred, and in which the paper wielded a deserved influence. In 1874 a half interest in the paper was sold to S. W. Harmon, but a year afterwards was repur- chased by Mr. Sherman. In 1876 Mr. John R. Howard became associated in the conduct of the paper, but retired a year afterwards. In that year The fournal supported the candidacy of Samuel J. Tilden for president, and has since been an ardent supporter of the democratic nominees, though thoroughly and completely independent in its expressions of opinion with regard to public and party policy. The paper was started as a twenty- eight column folio, but was enlarged several years ago, to thirty-two col- umns. In November last the enterprising editor began the publication of a daily edition of The fournal, containing sixteen columns, and has thus far been successful in his venture. The prospects of the daily are very encouraging, and with its prosperity comes constant improvement. The Weekly Journal is now in its ninth year of publication; and the list of advertisers and patrons proves it to be a paper of considerable influence. It is racy and rich at times, and always replete with the latest news. It steadily advocates all matters of public interest, and to it not a little of the prosperity of the county, in its later years, is due.
THE PACIFIC JUNCTION GAZETTE,
edited by J. D. Morris and E. B. Parrish, was established December 4, 1880. It is the youngest paper in the county, but growing wonderfully
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HISTORY OF MILLS COUNTY.
in favor and influence. In politics it is independent, and in all matters of public interest on the right side and outspoken. It is a four page, eight column sheet; and perhaps is the freshest and newsiest paper in the county. The names of its editors are a sufficient guarantee of ultimate and enduring success.
HISTORY OF EDUCATION.
There is nothing more remarkable in our time than the great advance in the matter and methods of education. This has necessitated new modes of mental culture, and placed in the hand of the educator new material to aid him in reaching broader and grander results. Among the changes which the new education has wrought is the recognition of cer- tain philosophical facts in the training of youth, the importance of due attention to the hygiene of school-room life and study, and the place of new studies in the educational curriculum of the common school. Time was, and not far back, when the "three R's" were deemed the only essen- tials of an education; when to be merely a fair reader and mediocre writer was the ultima thule of the educational possibilities of the day. This has changed, and the history of the change is one of that long strug- gle against the prejudices in favor of the oldest methods of the old schools in which the early settlers had been educated and to which they had become attached; a struggle in which the county is still interested; one that comes to it laden with the accumulated facts of ages, hoary with years, yet beneficent in influence; a struggle in which opinions and theo- ries covered with honors have been marched off the stage of action and supplanted by facts and principles which it has cost years of toil to dis- cover, and more years still to establish.
The result of all these is that it is now not only conceded, but very gen- erally demanded that the teacher should be subjected to a thorough course of training before commencing to discipline other minds. To meet this end not only have normal schools been established and normal courses added to the curricula of the colleges, but summer normals, at the expense and under the auspices of the county, have been established to meet a demand ever growing greater. The raison d'etat is that there is a need in popular education that may only be met by first meeting a like need felt by those who have that work in charge. The teacher occupies but partly the high place of an apostle of complete civilization-for nothing less is his task and that is his place-a preacher of complete manhood and womanhood. Instead of drilling boys and girls upon the multiplication table, he is to profoundly affect human destiny for good. That there is but
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HISTORY OF MILLS COUNTY.
a feeble demand for this highest type of teachers, arises not only from an unconsciousnees of the immeasurable value they are of to mankind, but also from the imperfect style of teachers that now stand before the public.
There is probably no question in which the citizens of a county are so directly interested as this same one of teachers of known and tried ability, The time has long since passed when any person could teach school. The claims of to-day can no longer be met by the appliances of even a decade ago, for experience is beginning to show that teaching, like every other department of human thought and activity, must change with the changing conditions of society, or it will fall in the rear of civilization and become an obstacle to improvement. The educational problem of the day is how to get more meaning into the training of the schools; a mean- ing that shall excite the youthful mind to the highest type of intellectual activity and vigor; that shall educate for lasting national life. A nation's safety lies wrapped up in the intelligence of its people. And as the scope of human activity and thought are ever widening, so the claims of culture are ever increasing, and the state has the right to expect due attention to them from its constituency. By the general diffusion of knowledge only is it possible to put wisdom at the helm of state; keep mediocrity out of responsible offices; remove corruption from places of trust; banish vice and peculation and so sweeten the fountains of public morality that justice and fairness shall be the condition between all classes of men in all the relations of life. To this is opposed, oftentimes, the foolish objection that "too much book learning is not to the best interests of individuals." Nothing is more foreign to a true spirit of culture and progress, or more fruitful of invidious results, than that the matter and aim of education are not akin to the most common-place affairs of life. Education is intensely utilitarian, directly so; there is not an avocation to which it has not brought its benison by way of improvement or correction.
An illustration from that kind of labor to which our country owes its institutions and its perpetuity-husbandry-may be in point. In early ages the products of agriculture were thought to be the gifts of various divinities, who gave or withheld according to their caprice. The golden grain was the special bounty of Ceres-just as Minerva bestowed the olive and Bacchus the wine. The seed grains did not quicken except by favor of the rural god, who kept watch and ward over this process; their sheep and their bees were under the guardianship of Pan, and a troop of frolic fauns brought back life to the fields, and opened with their busy fingers the buds of spring. Over all the operations of nature was some presiding divinity, and, as they were prosperous or adverse, they inferred that the divinity was kindly or malignant. But since that time the phys- ical sciences and chemistry have given to the farmer a new heaven and a new earth. The lightnings are no longer the manifestations of an angry
-
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HISTORY OF MILLS COUNTY.
divinity, but an indispensable agent in the scheme of vegetable growth and production. Noxious elements, once the source of untold miasm and death, are constantly eliminated from the air he breathes-taken up by the lungs of the vegetable system, and transmuted into valuable and use- ful forms. Now, his culture comes to temper the austere sky, his enter- prise rolls back the forests like a scroll, and their appears a more genial sun, until the frozen circle itself seems pushed northward, and abundance smiles where unassisted Nature was stern, and niggard, and unfruitful. The field of improvement is yet boundless, though the most beautiful of the sciences are his handmaids. A vast change in the direction and ten- dency of thought is that from the time when
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